Nightlife + Dining
Ani Gutierrez
NYLON Membership’s NYC Launch: Art After Dark at Jean’s
- By: Julianne Elise Beffa
The City’s Coolest Night Out…
New York thrives on exclusivity. The kind of “you had to be there” moments that slip into your Instagram feed and leave you wondering if the invite was lost in the mail. This week, NYLON Membership didn’t just arrive on the NYC scene, it waltzed in wearing kitten heels and holding a martini, ready to paint the town. Literally.
Part paint night, part downtown fashion mixer, and part low-key cultural summit, the midsummer soirée turned Jean’s, one of the city’s most stylish and slyly under-the-radar hot spots, into a scene that felt like it belonged in a movie montage. Models, editors, artists, beauty pros, and downtown creatives swapped the sandy Montauk crop tops and flip-flops of July for sleek cocktail attire and glossy hair, like a collective soft launch for September’s fashion calendar.
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Setting the Scene
The entrance set the tone. Guests stepped into Jean’s chic, art-forward foyer, where NYLON Member Rachel Clark had designed lush floral arrangements that were half runway backdrop, half still life painting. Lining the walls were custom aprons- not the “I Heart NY” tourist variety, but bespoke, take-home pieces hinting at the night’s interactive twist. This wasn’t just a party to watch, it was a party to create.
The Art of the Vibe
The evening’s main event was deceptively simple: paint a snake-inspired piece, guided by an “intuitive approach.” In reality, it was the perfect icebreaker. No one was stressing over perfection; instead, guests dipped brushes into jewel-toned paints while swapping stories, sipping spicy dirty martinis, and leaning into the Fleetwood Mac soundtrack that made the room feel effortlessly nostalgic.
At one table, Charlotte Coquelin sat near Janina Jung. Across the room, Polina Isadora compared brushstrokes with Nneoma Anosike while Koval kept the martini-to-water ratio delightfully skewed in favor of the former. The tables, draped in crisp white linen, quickly transformed into canvases of their own, splattered with streaks of color, lipstick-stained martini glasses, and the occasional fry crumb.
Snacks, But Make It Fashion
And then there were the fries. Jean’s signature, golden and impossibly crisp, served not on plates but in classic New York paper coffee cups. It was cheeky, it was Instagram gold, and it was so on-brand for the kind of guest who has “food stylist” in their phone contacts. Between the fries, the martinis, and the constant stream of “just one more picture” moments, the night’s energy never dipped.
The Takeaway (Literally)
As the evening wound down, no one left empty-handed, and not just because of the paintings. Gift bags were loaded with NYLON-approved picks: Doft Skincare serums that would make any night owl look refreshed by morning, glossy Kosas Cosmetics lip products perfect for a NYFW clutch, RPZL’s cult-favorite hair clips, and David Protein bars for that post-party recharge.
But the real prize wasn’t in the bags. It was the connections, the conversations sparked over a shared tube of paint, the business cards swapped between sips, the plans made for Fashion Week after-parties. In a city where nights out can blur into one another, Art After Dark managed to create something rare: a memorable moment with staying power.
More Than a Party
If Art After Dark was the opening act, NYLON Membership has made it clear it’s playing the long game. This isn’t just a social club; it’s a cultural engine that moves in rhythm with its members. From NYFW to Art Basel to Coachella, the membership aims to create IRL experiences that feel like an editorial spread brought to life — beautiful, bold, and buzzing with the people who define what’s next.
And if the first night was any indication, you’ll want to make sure your name’s on the next guest list.
Photo Credits: Poupay
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